Cultivating Transportation Leaders of Tomorrow
The SMARTER Center is committed to developing an innovative and highly skilled transportation workforce that will shape the future of mobility in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Our comprehensive education and workforce development initiatives form a strategic pipeline designed to engage students at every stage of their academic and professional journey—from middle school through graduate studies and continuing professional development.
We believe that addressing complex transportation challenges requires exceptional expertise and technical mastery. By creating merit-based pathways into transportation careers, we’re building a workforce equipped with the advanced knowledge and skills needed to drive innovation while advancing our mission of effective and efficient transportation systems.
Our education programs provide hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies and research methodologies, connecting classroom learning with real-world applications. Students work alongside leading researchers and industry professionals, gaining valuable skills and insights that prepare them for impactful careers in transportation.
Explore our flagship education programs below:
National Summer Transportation Institute
Inspiring the Next Generation
The National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) at Morgan State University introduces middle and high school students to the exciting world of transportation careers and STEM education. This immersive summer program provides students with hands-on activities, field trips to transportation facilities, interactions with industry professionals, and engaging classroom instruction.
Program Highlights:
- Hands-on Learning: Students participate in interactive workshops on topics ranging from infrastructure design to traffic simulation and autonomous vehicle technology.
- Industry Exposure: Field trips to airports, seaports, transit agencies, and highway administration facilities provide real-world context for transportation concepts.
- Career Exploration: Transportation professionals share their career journeys, providing students with diverse role models and career pathways.
- College Preparation: Campus life introduces students to higher education opportunities.
This two-week program provides talented and motivated students with early exposure to transportation career opportunities.
SMARTER Student Fellowship Program
The SMARTER Student Fellowship Program provides graduate students with funding and mentorship to conduct innovative transportation research aligned with the center’s mission.
Fellowship Benefits:
- Financial Support: Fellows receive stipends and tuition assistance to support their graduate studies and research.
- Research Funding: Projects receive dedicated funding for equipment, materials, travel, and other research-related expenses.
- Mentorship: Fellows work closely with faculty advisors and researchers from across the SMARTER consortium, benefiting from diverse expertise and guidance.
- Professional Development: Fellows participate in workshops on grant writing, publishing, presenting research, and career development.
- Networking Opportunities: The program facilitates connections with transportation professionals, policymakers, and fellow researchers through conferences, symposia, and networking events.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Fellows engage with peers across disciplines, fostering innovative approaches to transportation challenges.
Fellows’ research directly contributes to the SMARTER Center’s mission, addressing critical transportation challenges in urban and rural communities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Their work spans areas including innovative mobility solutions, advanced transportation technologies, and behavioral analysis.
SMARTER Scholarship Program
The SMARTER Scholarship Program provides financial support and enrichment opportunities to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees related to transportation. The program aims to attract and develop exceptional talent in the transportation field by identifying and supporting academically accomplished students with demonstrated potential for leadership and innovation.
Scholarship Features:
- Financial Awards: Recipients receive merit-based scholarships to support their education, reducing financial barriers to degree completion.
- Internship Placement: Scholars gain practical experience through competitive summer internships with transportation agencies, private firms, or research centers, applying classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.
- Research Opportunities: Scholars can participate in faculty-led research projects, developing advanced technical skills and analytical expertise in transportation research methodologies.
- Mentorship: Each scholar is paired with both a faculty mentor and an industry professional who provide guidance on career advancement, technical skill development, and professional growth opportunities.
- Professional Development: The program includes workshops on resume building, interviewing, networking, and other career development skills.
- Industry Exposure: Field trips, guest speakers, and networking events connect scholars with potential employers and industry leaders.
The SMARTER Scholarship Program is open to undergraduate students majoring in civil engineering, urban planning, computer science, public policy, and other transportation-related disciplines at any of our eight consortium universities.
Additional Education Initiatives
Beyond our flagship programs, the SMARTER Center supports a variety of educational initiatives:
- Transportation Research Courses: Specialized courses developed for undergraduate and graduate students across consortium universities.
- Professional Certificate Programs: Continuing education opportunities like Teacher Transportation Institute for working professionals in the transportation sector
- K-12 Outreach: Educational materials and activities for K-12 educators to incorporate transportation topics into their curriculum.
- Webinars and Workshops: Regular educational events on emerging transportation topics and technologies.
For more information about our education and workforce development initiatives, contact:
Program Coordinator
Email: christol.medley@morgan.edu
Phone: 443-885-3666